Electrical system.



L. 1. LE PONTOIS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 00].10. I916.

Patnted Dec. 4,1917

6 SHEETS- SHEET 1.

L. J. LE PONTOIS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION man 001.10, 1916.

Patented Dec. 4, 1917 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2- L. 1. LE PONTOIS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 10, I916.

Patented Dec. 4, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- L. J. LE PONTOIS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 10. I916.

1,249,135. L L 4 Patented Dec. 4,1917.

3 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

L. 3. LE PDNTOIS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.10, 1916.

Patented Dem 1,1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5- e SHEETS-SHEET a.

@WW z 7 M Q72 1 8 0 2 4 1 d ,6

Patented Dec. 4,1917.

I l l I 7' 7 L. J. LE PONTOIS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFPLfCATlOfi FILED OCT. 10. 1916.

' marries.

UNITED STATES PATENT onnron.

LEON 3'. LE PONTOIS, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE TEAGLE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

flriginal application filed December 7,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON J. LE Pon'rogs, a citizen of the Republicof France, residing at Lakewood, in the county of Cuyahoga. and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Systems, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an electrical gen erating system wherein a plurality of working c cuits are employed, and the invention scription in connection with the accompanying drawings I have set forth, as an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a lighting and ignition system adapted for use on automobiles. r

The present application is a division of my application Ser. No. 596,117, filedgDecember 7, 1910, which should be referred to with respect to matters herein disclosed but not claimed.

Figure 1 is a view. partly in side elevation and partly in section of a duplex generating apparatus adapted for use inearrying out my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear end elevation of the same, the'rear end plate for the circuit closing and opening mechanism being removed.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the saidgenerating apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. I

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, with the ignition circuit shown diagrammatically.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig.

a 4, with the lighting circuit shown diagrammatically.

ig. 7 isa view partly 1n top plan and Specification of Letters Patent.

polar projections 2, 2', 'the pole-pieces may be placed in the sand in Patented Dec..4, 1917.

1910, Serial No. 596,117. Divided and this application filed October 10, 1916. Serial No. 124,827.

and polar projections, in reality the lowerpole-piece, in a single integral mass. Somewhat better results may possibly be obtained by forming the polar projections of laminae of soft'steel or iron and casting or molding them in position in the base 1. Such lami-- nated polar projections are indicated at 2,, 2 in the drawings. 1

3 is a pole-piece oppositely disposed to the combined base 1 and polar projections 2, 2. In the illustrated embodiment of my invention this upper pole-piece carries two downwardly extending projections 4 and 5, eachof which is preferably formed of soft iron or steel laminae, embedded in the mass 3. The pole-piece or mass 3 may consist of a grade of soft iron suitable for casting, and the laminated polar projections may be embedded in the said pole-piece or mass by casting, or molding, the mass around them. In practice I have found this to be a highly satisfactory and economical method or process of forming the pole-piece 3 with the laminated polar projections 4, 5, and also the pole-piece or base 1 with laminated The patterns for order to get the desired shape within the flask, then the ends of the laminated polar projections which are to be embedded in the .mass as cast may be introduced the desired distance into the cavity in the flask and there suitably held in position. These ends may be coated with any suitable substance for insuring a perfect cohesion or union between the cast metal and laminated metal.

Then'the cast metal may be flowed into the ticular, as will occur to the mind of one skilled in the art of casting or molding.

' After the pole-pieces with the laminae polar projeetions'have been thus formed so that such laminae are integral with the mass of the pole-piece, the whole, if desired, may e annealed, in which event the resulting mass is not as much subject to hysteresis losses, as would otherwisebe the case. The pole pieces 1 and 3 may then be shaped or worked-up in any suitable manner so as v to be .'of the prooer proportions.

- plates may at its lower end be secured to the They' are held suitably disposed relative to each other by end plates 6,17, formed of non-magnetic material. Each of suchend adjacent end of the pole-piece or base 1, in any suitable manner, as by screws 8, and at its upper end to the pole-piece 3 in a similar manner, thus providing a substantially rigid frame or structure.

9 are permanent magnets, preferably they are straight hair magnets.- They may be prepared in any suitable or well known manner and of any desired cross-section and length. I have found it in practice advantageous to form these magnets of laminae of sheet metal each individually hardened, for reasons well by side; the laminae may be held together in v through which pass tie-rods or bolts 10'.

known in t e art of permanent magnet'malc ing. As illustrated each magnet conslsts of.

a series or group of laminae arranged side any Well known manner. In the drawing, for illustration, I have shown each laminae pierced adjacent to either end by holes 10 Each end of a tie-rod is threaded to receive anut 11, preferably circular in form. The opposing nuts on each tie-rod may be screwed up and adjusted so as to clampthe laminae between-them tightly together. In some instances it may be desirable to magnetically insulate the laminae from each a other, as by means of shellac, paper, or any suitable non-magnetic material. The magnets 9 are held in place with their lower ends in contact with the base or pole-piece 1 and their upper ends in contact with the pole-piece 3, in any suitable manner, as by means of clamping plates 12. It will sutlice to describe simply one of these clamping nut or nuts-11, with which it engages, and

to firmly clamp the adjacent end of the mag- :net or-magnets against the pole-piece.

l 14 indicates as an entirety a magnetic flux dlstrlbuter or unwound inductor rotor. In

the illustrated embodiment of my invention this rotor consists of'a shaft 14 which may be of any uitable metal, such as steel, hav

ing near its front end an enlargement 14", and near its rear end a screw threaded section 14", a disk or plate 14 of non-magnetic material, suitably shaped metal laminae 14 .of high magnetic permeability, such as soft steel, a plate or disk 14 oppositely disposed to "the plate or disk 14, a copper disk 15 forming part of a governor mechanism to be hereinafter described; a plate or disk 14 serves to rigidly clamp together the various disks, laminae and shaft constituting the rotor. In practice it is advisable to key the non-magnetic disks and laminae of magnetic metal to the rotor shaft, as by means ofkeys 14. It will be noted that this inductor rotor comprises two magnetic flux distribut-' ing sections, each arranged to control, independently of the other, the substantial open- 1 ing and closing of the magnetic circuit betweenthe polar projections With which each said section is arranged to register. The rear end of the rotor shaft may be suitably shaped to receive any well known type of driving connection. The rear end of the shaft may carry or be connected with suitable timing mechanism or current controlling devices to be hereinafter described. The combined base and pole-piece 1 is so formed that the polar extensions or projections 2, 2 thereon will be disposed directly below and in the vertical transverse .plane of the laminated polar projections 4 and 5, respectivelyw After the frame Work of the magneto consisting of end plates and the two opposite pole-pieces have been rigidly assembled, the'polar projections and bearing recesses in said end plates may bebored to receive the inductor rotor and, if desired, suitable antifriction bearings 16 and 17- located concentric to the axis of the rotor.

The rotor is so shaped and proportioned that when in place the laminae 14 thereon are between the polar faces of the laminated polar projection 4 and the polar projection 2 immediatgly beneath it and lie in the same vertical plane transverse to the axis of .the.

rotoras the polar projections 4 and 2, andsimilarly the laminae 14 are arranged between the polar faces of the laminated polar projection 5 and the polar projection 2 and in the same vertical plane transverse 'to the axis of the rotor as the said polar projections 5 and2.

These two sets of rotor laminae and coput for battery charging, l'amp lighting, or 7 similar purposes. 19 indicates as a whole a winding or coil capable of'delivering high tension current suitable for jump-spark ignition or similar purposes, and comprising a suitably proportioned section 19 of relatively coarse wire and a suitably proportioned section 19 of relatively fine wire. The coils l8 and 19 may be held in position inv any suitable manner.

Any circuit closer and opener or current controller capable of operation by the herein described rotor to properly control both said high and low tension circuits may be employed. F or thepurposes of illustration I have shown one indicated as an entirety by 20. The part which rotates with the shaft 14 consists of a piece of metal'ifiirecessed to fit over the nut 14' to which it may be rigidly secured by means of a taper-pin 21. At the front endof the breaker mechanism are two cams 22, 23, having the long axes of their cam surfaces arranged at suitable angle to each other for purposes to be hereinafter described. 6" is a casing part or element secured to the rear end plate 6; It has a circular recess with annular flange 6 to" receive the rearward annular extension 24 of the breaker box or casing 24. Within this casing on the partition 24* are arranged the insulated terminals for the low tension circuit and the low tension winding'of the high tension circuit, consisting of the normally stationary plates 25, each suitably secured to .and insulated from the partition 24 and having a rearwardly extending projection 25 and carrying an adjustable contact piece 26 mounted at right angles thereto. The extreme front end of the split projection 25 isreduced to circular form and taper threaded, as indicated at 25, to receive a suitable terminal nut or binding post 27, which when set up into position will clamp the adjustable contact 26 firmly in position.

'. 28, 28 indicate as entireties movable or oscillating electrodes. Each comprises an arm 28 loosely pivoted, as at 28 to the partition 24*, preferably a piece of hardened fiber 28 arranged to contact with the adjacent cam surface 22 or 23, and a suitable contact point 28. 29 is a spring secured at one end to the tail end of the adjacent arm 28',-and at its member or hub 41.

rarried by it, for purposes to be hereinafter described.

6 are lugs, one arranged at either side of the rear end plate 6. 30 are rearwardly ex tending studs or rods, each at its front end secured to the adjacent lug 6. At either side the breaker casing 24 has laterally extending lugs or projections 24, each having a slot 24 therein arranged in the arc of a circle struck from the axis of. the breaker casing as a center. -The studs or pins 30 each extend rearwardly through the adjacent curvilinear slot 24 in the breaker casing. The breaker casing is held yield ingly in place by means of springs 31, each arranged on the outer end of one of the stems 30. 32 are adjustment nuts for regulating the degree of compression of said springs. The stems 30 limit the angular adjustment in either direction of the breaker casing ,by engagement with the walls at the ends of the curvilinear slots 24 in the breaker casing. The front end of the element or member 20 having at its rear end cams 22, 23, may be cut to form a driving gear 33. While in the illustration this driving gear is shown integral with parts 22, 23, it will be under- 00 stood that it may be formed separately therefrom if desired. It is arranged at the front of the partition 6 in the casing element 6.

34 indicates as an entirety, a high tension 10 current distributer mechanism. It may be of any suitable or well known construction adapted for use on the magneto generator herein shown. For the purpose of illustration it is shown as comprising a driven gear 1 35 meshing with the driving gear 33 and mounted on a stationary stud shaft 36 carried by and extending rearward from the end plate 6.

- 37, 37 are antifriction bearings carried by 5 the shaft 36 and separately spaced from, each other by spacing ring 38. The driven gear 35 has a forwardly extending flange or hub 35'.

40 is the rotary distributer segment, made' of any suitable non-eorrodible material. It is carried by the gear 35' and insulated therefrom by a suitable insulating hub or member 41. This insulated member may be so cpl-ed to gear 35 by screws 42. 41 is a rearward extension or ear on the insulating 43 is a contact block centrally recessed as indicated at 43'. The contact segment 40 and contact block 43 are electrically connected together and suitably ber 41, by means of screws 44 extending through the contact block 43 and the ear or .lug 41 on the insulating block 41 and into the distributer segment 40. This construction precludes any relative movement of the parts thus connected.

45 indicates a distributer box or casing formed of any suitable insulating material. In the illustration it is provided with four contact terminals 46, each of these terminals comprising a stud or shaft 46, having secured to its outer end a suitable contact terminal or binding post 46*; near itsend it carries a head 46 by means of which it may be held against turning relative to the distributer casing; and inside of thesaid head and loosely mounted on the stud are arranged a plurality of rollers-47 of non-- corrodible'metal. Preferably each of these rollers is formed with a ridged .or knurled periphery. They may be held from longitudinal movement on their shaft in any suitable manner, as by riveting or lip-setting the 25 end of the shaft.

48 indicates the high tension lead or conductor from the high tension winding 19. It is provided with a contact terminal 48 of any suitable construction. trated is intended to make electric contact with a binding post or terminal 49 carried by the distributer casing 45.- 50 is a conductor leading from the'bi-nding post or terminal 49 to and electrically connected with a socket piece 51 removably mounted in the distributer casing 45. 52 is. a brush having its axis concentric with the axis of the distributer casing and mounted in'the socket piece 51, so as to be movable longitudinally therein. 53 is a spring nhounted in the socket 51 and arranged to normally press the brush 52 forward and into engagement with the vertical wall of the recess in the contact block 43.

Referring now to Fig. 5, in the ignition or high tension circuit, 100 diagrammatically indicatesa conductor leading from one terminal 'of the coil 19' of relatively coarse winding to the electrode 26. 101 is a conductor leading from movable arm 28 to the ground. 102 is a conductor leading from the other terminal of coil 19 to the ground. 103 is a condenser placed in parallel with the contact points 26 and 28. 104 indicate spark plugs or spark gaps in thecircuit of the high tension or fine wind ing 19, which also contains the distributor 34, the said circuit being completed through ground'and conductor 10 The low tension circuit of my system is represented, in part diagrammatically, in Fig.

6. One terminal of the coil 18- is connected by means of conductor 60 to one electrode of the breaker mechanism. The other electrode of said breaker is connected by the The one illus conductor 61 to the generator frame. A conductor 62, which is also connected to the frame, is connected with a series of lights L and a battery 59 which are in turn con nected to a conductor 63 extending to an insulated binding post 64 on the machine frame, the lights and battery being connected in parallel. The binding post 64 is connected through a governor mechanism 58 and conductor 65 with the other terminal of the coil 18. y

The current generated in the low tension winding '18 can be used directly for the operation of the lights, but a storage battery can advantageously be combined with the light circuit as indicated and, for the pur- I pose of charging such storage battery, it

have found it advisable to inter-pose in the vand breaker controlling that current, that the circuit is only made or closed during the generating in the said winding 18 of current waves established or'generated by flux decrease through the said generating winding, the said circuit being'opened during the time when the opposite or waves due to flux increase would be generated.

By means of such maker and breaker it, will be understood that use is made of a direct pulsating current. .The governor is necessary for the purpose of insuring that the circuit to the battery will be closed only when the voltage of the generating winding circuit is equal to or superior to that of the I battery to be charged. Thisgovernor 58 comprises a spring 6? secured at its lower end in electrical contact with the conductor 65 by means of a binding nut 66 suitably insulated from the machine frame.

At its upper end the spring 67 carries a contact point 68 adapted to' move into and out of engagement with stationary contact point 69 which is electrically connected with the binding post 64 and suitably insulated from the machine frame. 70 is a relatively long stiff spring suitably securedat its upper end to theinagneto frame and carrying at its lower end a comparatively small magnet 71, which may be either permanent or an electro-magnet, a permanent magnet being shown. This magnet straddles tlge; upper portion of the copper disk" 15, secured toand rotating with the inductor rotor. 72 is a button interposed between the spring 67 and the adjacent end.

of the magnet 71. It is insulated upon the latter, and may be made of fiber, if desired. 73 is an adjustment screw for regulating the tension of the spring 70. This screw may be locked in proper position by lock nut 73. Where a governor of the type just described is used in the magneto, the construction is somewhat simplified by forming the central pair of magnet clamping plates 12 for one side of the field magnet structure, in one piece, such as 75, which may in addition to serving as a clamping bar for the magnets also carry the parts of the governor mechanism just described.

In order to react against any tendency which may be present for magnetic flux leakage as between the polar faces of two oppos ing polar projections and the corresponding flux distributing section of the inductor rotor and from the polar faces of said inductor section to the adjacent magnets, stationary, short circuited copper circuits 54, may be arranged, if desired, one at either side of each of the flux distributing sections of the inductor rotor, and each suitably insulated from and secured in position relative to adjacent stationary metal parts. Each of these copper circuits is preferably disposed so as to surround any flux tending to leak from either polar face of the rotor to the adjacent magnet, more particularly when the 'long axis of the flux distributing section is substantially at right angles to the magnets. It will be noted that the counter magneto motive force set up by any current flowing in such short circuited coil will oppose the flux tending to thread through such coil from the polar faces of the inductor. Accordingly the said copper circuits 54 act to compel the flux variation to take place substantially entirely through the magnetic paths controlled and determined by the positions of the flux distributing sections of the rotor and their corresponding pole pieces.

In operation, assuming that the rotor 14 is in the position indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, substantially all the flux issuing from the poles of the permanent magnets 9 will find a path of least reluctance through the pole piece 3, polar projection 5, inductor laminae 14 and pole piece or base 1 and back to the other poles of the magnets. At substantiallythat instant the maker and breaker of the ignition circuit is closed, that is, the electrode 28 is in engagement with the electrode 26, or in other terms, the coarse winding 19 is short-circuited upon itself. If now the inductor rotor is moved in the direction indicated by arrow in Fig. 5, the polar faces I of the laminated section 14 commence to move away from the polar faces of the pole pieces 2 and 5, and at the same time the polar faces of the laminated section 14* enter between the polar faces of the polar projections 2 and 4. At this period the reluctance of the magnetic circuit between the polar projections 2 and 5 increases, Whereas simultaneously the reluctance between the polar projections 2 and 4 is decreasing, accordingly the magnetic flux density in the windings 19 and 19 is tending to decrease, though such decrease is not proportional to the relative apparent reluctance of the two then existing magnetic paths open to the flux, because of the fact that the winding 19, that is the coarse winding on the polar projection 5, is short-circuited upon itself and therefore its self induction tends to oppose flux variation through the coil 19'. As the rotation in this direction continues the reluctance of the path between the polar projections 2 and 4 decreases and that between polar projections 2 and 5 increases simultaneously until the critical point is reached at which the tendency to flux change reaches its maximum, at or about which point the cam 23 positively opens the circuit of the winding, '19 and the magnetic flux still threading through the coils 19 and 19 being suddenly unchoked finds an immediate path of low reluctance between the polar projections 2 and 4, as at this time the laminated inductor section 14" establishes a path directly between the last two mentioned polar. projections. Under these conditions the rate of flux variation through the windings 19 and19 is so high as to cause a current of high tension to be generated in such windings which is manifested by a spark at one of the spark gaps 104. It will be noted that while this flux change was taking place due to the decreasing flux threading through the generator windings 19 and 19 and a substantially corresponding increase of flux variation was taking place through the winding 18, the circuit of this latter winding was open, the construction of this cam and the circuit making and opening mechanism positively insuring the maintenance of this open circuit at this time. Therefore no work was required of or was done by the flux in forcing its way through the winding 18 and consequently this winding lent substantially no opposition to the flugr variation as between the polar projections 2 and 4 on the one hand andthe polar projections 2 and 5 on the other. Continuing the rotation of the inductor in the same direction, the polar faces of the laminated inductor section 14 and 14 moving relative to the polar faces of the polar projections 2, 4 and 2, 5, respectively, cause continuing changes in paths of least magnetic reluctance, the reluctance between the polar projections 2 and 5 decreasing and that between the polar projections 2 and 4 increasing, as the case may be. As soon as this changein paths of least magnetic reluctance tends to cause a decrease of magnetic flux density through the Winding ingly of the inductor rotor. The governor may be so adjusted that it will only close the circuit when the speed of the inductor 1s such as to msure variations 1n flux density in the generating winding 18 suilicient to establish a voltage equal to or superior to the battery voltage. It will be understood that the rotation of the copper disk 15 in the field of the magnet 71 will be opposed by reaction of the eddy currents set up in said disk and that such reactions will exert a pull tation of the disk 15.

or drag on the magnetin the direction of ro- T he amount of this pull or drag is dependent upon the speed i of the disk 15 has reached a predetermined of rotation of the disk 15, and accordingly the spring 70 may be adjusted so that the contact 68 Will move into engagement with contact 69 only when the speed of rotation point which will insure that the E. M. F. of the winding 18 is equal to or superior to that of the battery.

I have already pointed out that thecip i cuits through the generating coils are open v to energize the lamps.

during increase of flux therethrough so that during increase of fluxv through the wound pole pieces there is no loss of energy due to current flowing in the windings inthis half of the cycle, and the flux meets with no impedance in its iiicrease to a maximum value. On the other hand, during decrease of flux through the windings, the Winding circuits are closed, and it remains to be observed that; the self-induction of the generating coils is taken advantage of, in the case of the low tension circuit, to regulate the voltage thereof, it being understood that such regulation is desirable when the current is used direct It will be readily observed thatalthough the voltage in the generating winding 18 increases proportion-. ately to the rotor speed, the frequency in,- creases in like proportion and hence the cur rent in the work circuit will not increase in like amount because the inductive resistance of the winding increases proportionately to the frequency. Thus the voltage in the external al-t of the work circuit can, in a large measure, be regulated by a proper proportionating of the generating winding.

However, this inherent voltage regulation is supplemented in an important manner by the cooperative action of the Workcircuit and ignition circuit resulting from the peculiar interrelation of these circuits which characterizes my invention. Referring Fig. 4, it will be observed that while the eddy currents are set up in the mass having values 1 that vary with the frequency, the eddy currents increasing, of course, with the speed. As these eddy currents oppose the shift of the flux it is apparent that they have the effect of diminishing increase of voltage due to increase in speed. While this effect of the eddy currents is present in the case of both the work circuit and. the ignition circuit, its value attaches to the regulating effeet on the work circuit. By a suitable arrangement and proportioning of the parts secure a combined regulating action due to the self-induction of the low tension generating winding, on the one hand, and the eddy currents in the pole piece 3, on the other hand, which has made it unnecessary to provide any special regulating apparatus to control the voltage of the work circuit.

l/Vhile the permanent magnets constitute a common source of field excitation for the low tension and high tension generators and while the magnetic circuits of the low ten sion and high tension generating windings are interrelated as above indicated in connection with the voltage regulation, it is to be observed that separate flux paths are afforded through the low tension and high tension generatingwindings, respectively, so that said windings are never simultaneously interlinked with the same field flux. In other Words, while the magnetic circuits are effectively interrelated for the purposes indicated, there is also an effective independ- 106 ence of the magnetic circuits with respect to the generation of currents so that it is possible to obtain efficiently and economically low tension current for one purpose and high tension current for another pur- 11o pose, such as ignition.

\Vhile the current generated in the coil 18 can be used direct for lighting incandescent electric lamps, I prefer to use it for charging a storage battery from which the lamps receive current, because the presence of the storage battery in circuit with the winding 18 acts as a capacity tending to neutralize the self induction of the generating winding, consequently, the current output of the magi neto as a generator charging a storage battery is relatively greater than it would be if it were connected directly to a lamp load.

It Will be noted that the shaping, arrangement and operation of the inductor rotor is such that the paths of: least reluctance which it successively and periodically establishes between the pole pieces are through the sections of the inductor, that is transverse to the axis of the inductor and not lengthwise of the inductor. The parts at 14", 15 and l4: are, any one or all of them, in reality closed copper circuits interposed between the flux distributing sections of the inductor and each of them tends to oppose the leakage or passage of flux axially along the inductor from flux distributing section to flux dis tributing section.

The flux distributing sections of the inductor and the circuit opening and closing mechanism which operates in mechanical synchronism therewith may have their mechanical relationship to each other determined when the parts are assembled, so as to yield the best electrical results in the particular magnetic field structure in which they are to operate.

It will now be apparent that I have provided an electrical system comprising a plu rality of circuitswhich are so interrelated through their generating elements as to secure generating apparatus that is relatively compact and simple, that utilizes the energy of a single magnetic field structure in a highly eiiicient manner, and that effects a voltage regulation which is highly advan-.

tageous.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many widely difierent embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves and it is to be under stood that my description and disclosures herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. In particular it is to be understood that while I have set forth an embodiment of the invention in which-the currents in the two circuits are drawn from sources of alternating rather than direct electromotive forces,'and while I thus secure advantages, I do not intend to thereby suggest a corresponding limitation of the broader aspects of my invention. Similarly, while I have shown permanent .magnets rather than electro-magnets as the common means for exciting the fields of the two interrelated generators, my invention is not to be understood as limited to the use of permanent magnets.

WhatI claim is 1. In an electrical system, the combination of a work circuit, a low tension generator for energizing said circuit, means comprising a high tension generator adapted in cooperation with \the low tension generator to regulate the voltage of the work circuit, and an ignition circuit energized by the high tension generator. i

2. Inan electrical system, the combination of a: work circuit, a low tension generator for energizing said circui means comprising a high tension generator adapted in cooperatign with the low trnsion generator to regulate the yoltage ol' the work circuit, the said generators having a unitary field structure and a common field excitation,

tion circuit energized by the high tension generator, and means for disconnecting the low tension generator from the battery circuit when the voltage therein falls below a certain value.

4. In an electrical. system, the combination ofa low tension winding, a high tension winding, a magnetic field structure common to said windings, field exciting means, a work circuit connected with the low tension winding, ignition apparatus in circuit with the high tension winding, and means for distributing the field flux relative to the windings so as to generate a low tension current in the work circuit and regulate the voltage thereof and so as to generate a high current in the ignition circuit.

In an electrical system, the combination of a-low tension winding, a high tension winding, a magnetic field structure common to said windings, field exciting means, a work circuit connected with the low tension winding, ignition apparatus in circuit with the high tension winding, means for distributing the field flux relative to the windings so as to generate a low tension current in the work circuit and regulate the voltage thereof'and so as to generate a high tension current in the ignition circuit, and

tension means adapted to open the work circuit when the voltage thereof falls below a cererating winding for said circuit, an ignition circuit, a high tension generating winding for the 'ignition circuit, interrelated magnetic fields for the said generating windings, fieid exciting means, and means for distributing the field flux alternately through the low and high tension generating windings whereby the voltage of the work circuit. is regulated.

8. In an electrical system, the combina tion of a load circuit, an ign tion circuit, and means for energizing said circuits compriss distribution of the flux regulate the voltage of the load circuit. a

9. In an electrical system, the combination of a light circuit, an ignition circuit, a

low tension generator for energizing the light circuit, and a high tension generator for energizing the ignition circuit, the last named generator having low tension primary and high tension secondary generating wmdings in inductive relation to each other and electrically independent of the generating winding of the low tension generator and the two said generators having a unitary field structure an a common source of field excitation.

10. An electrical system -comprising an electric generator, a work circuit connected therewith, ignition apparatus including an auxiliary electric generator having low tension primary and high tension secondary generating windings in inductive relation to each other and electrically independent of the generating winding of the first named generator, mechanical driving means for operatively driving the generators, and a source of field excitation common to both of said generators.

11. An electrical system comprising an electric generator, a Work circuit connected therewith, ignition apparatusincluding an auxiliary electric generator having low tension primary and high tension secondary generating windings in inductive relation to each other and electrically independent of the generating winding of the first named generator, and a source of field excitation common to both of said generators.

12. In an electrical system, a work circuit, means for energizing and regulating the voltage of the same, comprising a generator and ignition apparatus including a second generator, the fields of both of the generators being interrelated and commonly excited.

closing and opening the circuits of each of said windings periodically and successively,

generating windings,

1a A combined ignition and lighting sys-- the circuit for each winding always being open when the circuit for the other winding is closed.

143A combined system of ignition and low tension current for other purposes, comprising a spark gap and a high tension generating circuit including coarse and fine windings, also another generating Winding, a single permanent magnet field structure arranged in inductive relationship with said windings, means'for periodically and sucin inductive relationship with said windings,

means for periodically and successively effecting flux variations through said independent generating windings and means for closing and opening the circuits of each of said generating windings eriodically and successively, during the ecrease of magnetic flux density in their respective each off-said closing and opening mechanisms being arranged'to maintain its respective circuit open during the period when the closing and opening mechanism for the other circuit has closed the latter circuit.

16. In an electric generator, the combination of a low tension generating coil, a high tension generating coil, a magnetic field structure'common to said coils, field exciting means. and means for distributing the field flux relative to the two generating coils so as to generate a low tension current in the low tension circuit and regulate the'voltage thereof and so as to generate a high tension current in the high tension coil.

17. In an electric generator, the combination of a fieldframe having a plurality of sets of poles, field exciting means common to all the poles, a plurality of generating windings, each cooperating with one of the sets of poles, and means for distributing the field flux first through one and then another of the generating windings in succession, the field frame having an integral iron mass through which the field flux is shifted from one set of poles to another whereby the voltage of the generating windings is regulated.

18. In anelectric generator, the combination of a field structure, field exciting means,

cessively efiecting flux variations through structure a low tension generating winding, a high tension generating winding, and means for tion.

means, separate generating windings for the.

low tension current and high tension ignition current, respectively, disposed in inductive relation to said field structure, and a rotor common to both of said windings and having at one end a flux distributing section for distributing flux of the field first through and then outside of said high tension generating winding and at its other end carrying the rotatable parts of the low tension current generator.

'21. In a single unit combined low tension current and high tension ignition current generator, the combination of a unitary stationary magnetic field structure, field exciting means, separate generating windings for the low tension current and high tension ignition current, respectively, disposed in inductive relation to said fieldstructure, the

generating winding for the higlrtension current being carried by the stationary field structure, and a rotor common to both of said windings and having at one end an unwound flux distributing section for effecting flux variations through said high tension generating winding and at its other end carrying the rotatable parts of the low tension current generator.

22. In a single unit combined low tension current and high tension ignition current generator, the combination of a unitary magnetic field structure, field exciting means, electrically independent generating windings for the lo tension current and high tension ignition current, respectively, disposed in inductive relation to said field structure, and a rotor mounted in said field structure and common to the aforesaid windings and carrying iron sections, one of which constitutes a part of the magnetlc path for the flux which interlinks said high tension generating winding and the' other ofwhich sections constitutes a part of the magnet c path for the flux interlinking sald low sion generating winding, the magnetic circuitsfgr the two said, generating windings having their iron rotatable parts and portions of their iron stationary parts physi-- cally separate from, each other.

23. In a single unit combined low tension. current and hi h tension ignition current generator, the combination of a unitary magnetic field structure, separate generating windings for the low tension current and high tension ignition current, respectively, disposed in inductive relation to said field structure, field exciting means common to both of said generating windings, and a rotor mounted in said field structure and common to the aforesaid windings and carrying iron sections, one of which constitutes a part of the magnetic path for the flux which interlinks said high tension generating winding and the other of which sections constitutes a part of the magnetic path for the flux interlinking said low ten sion generating winding, the magnetic circuits for the two said generating windings having their iron rotatable parts and portions of their iron stationary parts physi cally separate from each other.

24. In a single unit combined low' tension current and high tension ignition current generator, the combination of a unitary magnetic field structure, field exciting means, electrically independent generating windings for the low tension current and high tension ignition current, respectively, disposed in inductive relation to said field structure, arotor mounted in said field structure and common to the aforesaid windings and carrying iron sections, one of which constitutes a part of the magnetic path for the flux which interlinks said high tension generating winding and the other of which sections constitutesa part of the magnetic path for the flux interlinking said low tension generating winding, and magnetic insulation between the rotatable iron parts of the magnetic circuits for the two said generating windings.

25. In a single unit combined low tension current and high tension ignition current generator, the combination of a unitary magnetic field structure, field exciting means, electrically independent generating windings for the low tension current and high tension ignition current, respectively, disposed in inductive relation to said field structure, a rotor mounted in said field structure and common to the aforesaid windings and carrying iron sections, one of which constitutes a part of themagnetic torthe flux which interiinks said high. tension generating winding and the other oi which sections constitutes a part of the magnetic path for the flux interlinking said iow ten sion generating winding, and a non-mag- ;netic spacer and connector between the to tatable'iron parts of themagnetic circuits for-the two said generating windings.

current generator magnetic excis ng means, eleciri neralling windings 101' The high tension igni i disposed in induct:- structure, :1 shah" field struciure a windings and carryi which constitutes Jar path for the which i which secsions cons-aisutes a i. netic. path for the flux int: low tension generating winding .etic

insulator surrounding s; the said iron sections fille 27. In a single uni-"L con'i current an'l high tensio gencrakor, line coine magnetic field ssrucsure, means, electrically windings for filie low c .i

high tension ignn'zion cu: resp disposed in inductive rcla to said field: structure, a shale rotataeiy mounted in said field structure and common the moresaid windings and carrying sections, one of which constitutes a narlof the magnetic path for the flux which ,interlinlrs said high tension generating winding and the other of which sections constitutes a par of themagnetic path for the fiurz incerlinking said low tension generating winding, and a current conducting non-magnetic disk surrounding said shaft between said iron sections thereon.

28. In a single unit combined low tension current and high tension ignition current generator, the combination of a unitary magnetic field structure, field exciting means, electrically independent generating windings for the low tension current and high tension ignition current, respectively, disposed in inductive relation to said field structure, a rotor mounted in said field structure and mmihmon to the aforesaid windings and carrying iron sections, one of ich constinutes a pare; of the path for the flu which interlinks said high tension generacing "Winding and (Flier of which sections constitutes a pars of ithe niagnecic path for ihe flux interlinking said lo?! EEK sion gener sing winding, and means dis posed between said iron sections of said ro tor and lending to oppose the leakage passage of iliIX therehetween.

29. In an electrical system, the combinetime of a low tension generating winding, a, high tension generating winding electrically independent of said low tension a magnetic field structure common said windings, field exciting means, a work eircuit including a battery connected with the low tension winding, ignition apparatus circuit with the high tension windi for distributing the field flux rela 'e no ihe windings so as .10 generate a low cension current in the Work circuit and n h icension current in the ignition circi means adapted '30 open the worlr when the voltage thereof falls below a certain value,

30., In an electric system, the combination of a light circuit, an ignition. circuit, low tension generator for QHSIglZlflg circuit, and a high tension genera-cor energizing the ignition circuit the last named generator having low tension primary and high tension secondary generating windings in inductive relation to each other and electrically independent, of the generating winding of she low tension generator, the two said generators having a unicary field structure and a common source of field excitation, and said field strucliure affording separate flux paths through the generating th e windings of the low tension and higl'i sen- LEUN J. LE IPQNTUES,

1g, means 

